ADAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE
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Comparative analyses of growth parameters of pure Clarias gariepinus and its hybrid in monosex culture
Get PDFThis study compared sexual differences in growth parameters of pure and hybrid African catfishes (Clarias gariepinus and Clariabranchus) raised in a monosex culture. The two species were obtained from 281 fishes comprising 150 pure breed and 131 hybrids in an earlier study and grouped by sex separately as male and female in four separate plastic tanks, representing two replicates per sex. Ten each of the pure clarias and its hybrid were reared in each tank. In all, 40 male and 40 female fish comprising 20 each of the pure clarias and its hybrid for each sex were evaluated for the growth parameters. A total of 80 fish were included in this study and the study lasted nine (9) weeks. The fish were fed commercially compounded feed twice daily throughout the period of the experiment. Length-weight relationship and growth parameters such as Mean Growth Rate (MGR), Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Absolute Growth Rate (AGR), Relative Growth Rate (RGR), Condition Factor (CF) were computed and evaluated for sex effect. All statistical analyses involving descriptive, general linear model analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc test were done using Minitab® 17 Statistical Software. Sex had significant (P<0.05) effects on all growth parameters except Absolute Growth Rate (AGR) albeit at different levels, but specie only had significant (P<0.05) effect on Mean Growth Rate (MGR), while the interaction of sex x specie exerted significant (P<0.05) effects on all growth parameters except Condition Factor (CF). This study revealed that growth performance is significantly (P<0.05) affected by sexual dimorphism and also by interaction of sex and specie.
 
Effect of postharvest treatments on the shelf life of two mango cultivars
Get PDFMango is one of the numerous delicious seasonal fruits that are cultivated in Nigeria. It is also a good source of income for farmers that are involved in its cultivation. It is therefore important to have good information about the preservation of this fruit for maximum profit. To achieve this, four levels of treatment that could affect the shelf life were applied to matured but not yet ripe mango fruits. Four storage properties were also used to assess the shelf life of the mango fruit. Data on fruit weight were collected at three days intervals in a space of nine days for two mango varieties, Keitt and Palmer. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), was carried out using fruit weight as the dependent variable modeled against three independent variables namely: treatment, cultivar and initial fruit weight. The initial weight of the mango fruit before applying the treatments was used as our covariate. Bar charts showing the frequencies and percentages of the storage variables comparing the two cultivars were also plotted. The results revealed that the treatments had a significant effect (p = 0.001) on the fruit weight of the mangoes and the storage variables were important in determining the shelf life of mango with respect to the two varieties. It was observed that the Keitt cultivar has a better shelf life than the Palmer. The study recommended that for a longer shelf life of mango, the treatment of dipping in hot water at 550C should be put into consideration by farmers in Nigeria and that ANCOVA statistical method could be a good model for predicting the storage life of other fruits
Analysis of credit demand and supply markets among youth farmers in Agro-ecological zone B, Kogi State, Nigeria
Get PDFThere has been a shift of dominance in the sources of credit markets in Nigeria from the Government to the private sector. Inadequacy of capital has been identified as one of the constraints faced by youth farmers. This research work aimed to analyse credit demand and supply markets among youth farmers. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive, multiple regression and Z-test. Most credits were sourced through informal souces by the youth farmers. Personal savings(65%), RoSCAs (52.5%) and Money lender(50.8%) respectively are from the informal sources while LAPO (42%) and even commercial bank (15%) which is the least are obtained from formal sources. Further, the study showed that 50% of the respondents demanded credit to the tune of N2, 000,000 while most of the credit supplied(45.83%) was only less than N100.000. The multiple regression results showed an R2 value of 0.65. The study identified the potential credit demanded by the farmers to be at the range of N1, 000,001-2,000,000. Furthermore, the study identified age, marital status, level of education, interest rate and credit awareness as the major determinants of the volume of actual credit supplied by youth farmers. The test for significant difference shows that there is significant difference in the amount of credit sourced and required by the youth farmers by 1%. The study recommends that the interest rate charged on credit facilities should be reduced to motivate the youth farming in the study area to source for credi
Heavy metal profile in smoked Atlantic cutlass fish (Trichiurus lepturus, linnaeus 1758) from some major markets in Benin metropolis, Nigeria
Get PDFThe concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn), in smoked Trichiurus lepturus (Trichiuridae) from some major Markets in Benin Metropolis, Nigeria, were determined employing Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric technique, in order to ascertain their suitability for human consumption against the dearth of data regarding the metal content of such fish. The mean concentrations of metals in fish ranged from 0.118 mg/kg for Cd to 72.738 mg/kg for Zn. The mean concentration of Zn in fish ranged from 51.80 mg/kg at New Benin Market to 89.28 mg/kg at Ramat Market while the mean concentration of Cu ranged from 6.58 mg/kg at Oba Market to 9.29 mg/kg at Ramat Market. The mean concentration of Cd ranged from below detection limits at Oba and New Benin Markets to 0.31 mg/kg at Ramat Market while the mean the mean concentration of Pb ranged from 0.39 mg/kg at New Benin Market to 0.75 mg/kg at Uselu Market. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean concentrations of metals in fish between Markets. The toxicity quotient for heavy metals ranged from 0.271 for Cu to 2.425 for Zn. The mean concentrations of Zn, Cd and Pb in fish exceeded the Food and Agriculture Organization and Commission Regulation maximum limits for heavy metals in fish indicating that fish must be consumed with caution, to avert heavy metal poisoning.
 
Extent of mobile phone technology use in marketing agricultural products in Ankpa L.G.A Kogi State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study examined the extent of use of mobile phone technology in marketing agricultural products in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State. The study specifically described the socioeconomic characteristics of agricultural products marketers, extent of mobile phones usage in marketing agricultural product and the challenges associated with the use of mobile phones by the marketers. Two-stage random sampling technique was employed to select 120 agricultural products marketers and questionnaires were administered to them. The data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics and mean score from a Likert - type scale. Results from the study revealed that the marketers were dominated by (76.67%). Also, majority (70.8%) of the respondents were married, and had between male 1 to 10 years of experience in marketing. The results on extent of mobile phone usage revealed that it was used in obtaining prevailing market price ( = 3.91), getting updates on market situations ( = 3.78), level of demand of products ( = 3.25) to a great extent. The major challenges faced by the respondents in using the mobile device to market their products were lack of electricity (=3.75), network failure (=3.50), high tariff charges by operators (=3.38), and the high cost of mobile phones (=3.22). It is recommended that concerted efforts should be made by the government in stabilizing power supply in the country, so that the problem of power supply associated with the used of mobile phones in marketing of agricultural products can be resolved, and that the network service providers should make available toll-free lines where exchange of information related strictly to agriculture could be exchanged.
 
Natural weapons unleashed: Harnessing Hyptis suaveolens, charcoal dust, and wood ash extracts for controlling insect pests of Maize (Zea mays)
Get PDFInsect pests pose a significant threat to maize (Zea mays) crops worldwide, leading to substantial yield losses and reduced agricultural productivity. Traditional control methods relying on synthetic pesticides have raised concernsregarding their environmental impact and potential health risks. Therefore, the search for eco-friendly and sustainablealternatives is essential. This study investigates the efficacy of natural extracts derived from Hyptis suaveolens(commonly known as wild mint), charcoal, and wood ash in the control of insect pests infesting maize crops. Researchwas conducted at an experimental unit at University of Ilorin in 2022 using a pot trial. The experiment employed arandomized complete block design, with treatments including ethanol extracts of Hyptis suaveolens, charcoal dust, andwood ash, as well as a control group with no treatment. A kilogram of wood ash, Hyptis suaveolens and charcoal eachwas soaked in 5liters of ethanol for 48hours. Each mixture was sieved, extracted and applied at 30g/L to maize plantsat various growth stages to assess their insecticidal properties against common pests such as aphids, armyworms, andmaize weevils while the control (Cypermethrin) was applied at 2.25ml per liter. The results of the study demonstratedthat the application of Hyptis suaveolens extracts significantly reduced the population of insect pests compared to thecontrol group. The extracts exhibited strong insecticidal properties, effectively repelling or eliminating a wide range ofinsect pests
Influence of weight at hatching on weekly weight of broiler chickens
Get PDFBroiler production is concerned with raising birds that reach market weight within a short time interval, and efforts are geared at indices that can accurately predict the future growth performance of birds based on their initial measurements. This study investigated the relationship between initial weight taken at hatch and its influence on subsequent weights of birds. Newly hatched day-old chicks were obtained from a reputable hatchery in Ibadan, Oyo state. It comprised of chicks from four different commercial broiler strains (Arbor Acre, Cobb, Marshall and Ross). The chicks were tagged for proper identification and weighed and records of their weekly weights taken over ten (10) week period of the study. At the end of the study, a total of 216 broiler chicks comprising Arbor Acre (48), Cobb (52), Marshall (60) and Ross (56) were analysed. Weekly weight progressively increased with increasing age of the birds, while weight gain increased across the weeks, with a decline and a further rise in values reflecting the different stages of growth. The population was fairly homogenous at the early stages but was later moderately varied with increasing age of birds. There was a highly significant (P<0.001) positive correlation amongst all the weights studied but strongest values were recorded on measurements that are contiguously close. Despite the fact that regression of weekly weights was highly statistically significant on initial weight, it is noteworthy that initial weight as predictors of weekly weight had the best fit on the first weekly weight, but the influence of initial weight consistently decreased with increasing age of the broiler birds. This study revealed that initial weight of broiler birds at hatch is a good predictor of future weight of the birds and can be used to model the future growth performances of the birds
Analysis of adoption of cashew management techniques by cashew farmers in Zone B Agro-ecological zone of Kogi state
Get PDFCashew (Anacardium occidentale) is a crop of commerce of which both domestic and international demand has risen lately. It thrives well in the guinea savanna region of Nigeria particularly Kogi State that is known for producing quality cashew nuts. Hence, this study investigated the adoption of cashew farm management techniques by cashew farmers in Zone B agro-ecological zone of Kogi State. A total of 120 respondents were selected and administered questionnaire using a combination of both purposive and random sampling techniques. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Result showed that Majority (74.2%) of the respondent were married with average household size of 7 persons per household. The mean age of respondents was 49 years. The result also showed that pruning (98.3%) and fire tracing (97.5%) were the most adopted cashew farm management techniques by cashew farmers in the study area. The study recommended that farmers should be trained on good agricultural practices on cashew production to improve its management
Effect of processing on nutritional content of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) skin waste as functional food and feed
Get PDFThis study assessed the nutritional content of peanut skin (PS) (Arachis hypogaea) using different processing methods. Roasted Peanut Skin (RoPS) were collected from peanut vendors, Boiled Peanut Skin (BPS) obtained by cooking peanut to boiling temperature 100˚C and PS hand peeled, while Raw Peanut Skin (RaPS) were obtained by air drying and skin hand peeled. Samples were milled to finesse and analysed for proximate, anti-nutritional factors (ANF), mineral content, amino acid and fatty acid profile of PS according to standard methods. The result showed that BPS had high protein (21.85%). Application of heat on RoPS significantly increased ash content (20.44%) and BPS reduced significantly ether (1.60%) and crude fibre content (1.39%). Variations in mineral content was noticed in the samples with significant difference. The ANF were present in appreciable quantities while boiling reduced the ANF significantly in PS except in alkaloids. The amino acid profile level was enhanced by boiling PS while roasting reduced some of the amino acid content. The fatty acid profile indicated that RoPS had a high percent of fatty acids and lowered by boiling in BPS sample. This study noted that PS possess valuable nutritional qualities. The boiling process could be an effective method to reduce the levels of ANF and increase the protein content while roasting is adopted for improvement of the fatty acid content
Integrating traditional knowledge with modern breeding techniques: A case study of cattle production in Nigeria's southern guinea and derived savanna agroecological zones
Get PDFNomadic pastoralists and agropastoralists are the primary custodians of cattle production in Nigeria, they operate a low external input production system which is proving difficult to modernize especially in the areas of breeding and reproduction for genetic improvement. This study was carried out to gather historical, phenotypic, and perceived genetic information associated with cattle breeding and reproduction practices of the nomadic pastoralists and agropastoralists in the Nigeria Southern Guinea Savanna and Derived Savanna agroecological zones through interviewer-led focus group meetings. The study revealed that the respondents operate similar breeding practices which are native knowledge and practices preserved and transmitted over many generations. The practices are communal in nature and consider climate conditions as well as being comparably similar with the modern scientific standards, hence it was concluded that the respondents have the potential to easily adopt the modern approach of animal breeding and reproduction. These findings suggest a pathway for integrating traditional knowledge with contemporary breeding techniques to enhance cattle production. Future research should explore specific strategies to facilitate this integration and evaluate its impact on productivity and sustainability in the agro-ecological zone